The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-01-13

tickets should be prohibited under Sc
we're penalties. Thousands of voters are
at each election held in this state, prac-
ticslly deprived of their right TO vote for
the candidates Of their choice by the Cir
culation, at the polls, of such fraudulent
tickets as those referred to.
No man who cannot read and write
should be permitted to act as judges at an
election. Such qualifications are Abso-
lutely essential TO the performance Of the
duties OF this office.
General dissatisfaction is expressed
concerning the election OF township Off
GERS at the annual fall election. 1t has
resulted only In complicating issues, in
promoting disgraceful system of Grad
inR'' candidates, and in prolonging the
count Of ballots. In many instances cleo
ton boards have been in session for
nearly twenty-tour hours after the polls
were closed, before the count OF ballots
could be completed. The
change made at the special session Of
1856, In the time Of holding elections for
township officers, has nothing to recon-
mend 1t, and the old system OF spring
elections should be restored.
TIE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the superintendent OF in
suranOe presents full information con-
corning the financial standing of the
companies transacting business in this
state. Ii also embodies q nUmber of
suggestions and recommendations touch
ing our insurance laws, to which direct
your considerste attention. The great
importance Of providing the most efficient
safeguards for the protection OF policy
holders, is demonstrated by the enor-
nous sums annually paid by our people
to secure that protection against loss
which q Well-regulated aud honestly con-
Quoted insurance business ought to and
will afford. During the year 1875 the
risks written in Kansas aggregated Sll5,-
135, 272, and the premiums paid thereon
by our citizens aggregated S2,O03, $50
The losses paid during the year by the
insurance companies carrying these risks
aggregated 800, 927. The receipts of the
companies were, therefore, 81 300, 755 in
excess of the losses paid. A business
yielding such enormous profits ought to
sesure for the insured absolute protec ion,
and it is the duty Of the legislature to see
that every possible legal safeguard is
provided against unsafe, dishonest or
recklessly managed companies.
/ direct your attention to, and renew,
with earnestness and emphasis, the sug-
Restions and recommendations of my bien-
NAL message of 1885, touching the condi-
tons and stipulations contained in insur-
ance policies. 1t seems to me that 1t Is
the PLAIN duty of the Legislature to protect
the citizens OF Kansas against such mani
fest wrongs and injustice as may be perpe-
trated under the conditions and stipula-
tons referred to. Many states have en-
acted laws having this purpose in view.
/ envoke your special consideration for
this subject, ana earnestly trust that il
will receive early and favorable action.
Our laws require the superintendent of
insurance TO make an annual report to
the governor. This law was enacted
before the constitutional amendment
providing for biennial sessions of the
legislature was adopted. l would rec
commend that the insurance law be
amended, so as to require, from the head
OF that department, biennial report.
l would also call your attention TO the
requirements of section Is, chapter 50,
session laws of 1871. Il seems to me
that much of the Information called for
by this section need not be included in
the superintendent's report. So many
companies are now doing business in
Kansas that publication of tthe infor-
nation contained in the statements" re-
qairsd from such companies swells the
superintendent's report TO an expensive
volume of 365 pages. Not one-third OF
this matter Ia of any general interest OF
value, and 1t ought to be eliminated from
the published reports, thereby effectinR
large reduction in the states printing
bills.
THE STATE HOUSE.
The report OF the state house commits
sioners viii furnish you detailed ac-
count Of the progress of work on the
capitol, and the cost of the same. The
new senate chamber is one OF the most
beautiful assembly rooms in the United
States. The walls of the central wing OF
the building have been finished to the
height OF the first story. The commits
sioners have invited architects tt submit
plans and spec. hcations for completing
the building, and will present those re-
ceived for your confederation. l cor
daily approve the Recommendation Of
the commissioners, that the south wing
of the capitol be completed before any
further work on the north wing is begun
By adopting this plan of construction
the supreme court and executive officers
OF the state can be Furnished with much
needed rooms within two years, anC
| without increasing the tax-levy for state
house purposes.
| THE ADJUTANTiGEF ERAL s DEPARTMENT
The Kansas Nations Guard has beer
| fully organized under the PROVISIONS L
the militia law Of 1885. 1t Is composed
| of four regiments and one battery, com
prising an effective force of 2,020 officer
and men. The report of the adiutan
general furnishes full information con
corning its organization, equipment ant
| needs, and recommend his suggestions
| together with the recommendations o.
the military board, to your considerat
| attention.
No state in the union can muster fine
BODY Of young men than those enlisted II
the Kansas National Guard, and their ap
pearance, drill and sOldierly conduct, Il
camp and in field, haYe justly receIvet
the highest praise.
In March last, in response to q cal
from the sheriff Of Labette county az
| the mayor of Parsons, l ordered one reg
iment of the gusrd-the first-on activ
duty, to support the civil authorities /
maintaining law and order. Within 81
or aei4ht hours after the command wa
issued, every company was in its armor
ready for duty, and within twenty -fou
hours the whole regiment was concen
trated at Parsons. Its presence there {
once srestored orders and enabled th
civil officers to assert their authority
The promptness with which the Officer
and men responded to the cali mad
upon them, and the admirable tempe
good sense ana prudence displayed
them in diechargiDg the delicate duties (
their position, were in the highest degrt
commendeble.
The sdjutant general has succeeded
having an old claim of the state, amount
ing to s24 .44s so, on account Of arms il
sued to the territory of Kansas, an
charged, by the ordnance department I
the general government, against II
| state, adjusted and allowed. The ord
nance account of Kansas had, previous
the adjustment of this account. bee
| overdrawn S12, 635 70. The credit give
the state relieved 1t with this oVerdraf
and gsVe Kansas q balance OF Sl1
SAT-
The enrolment OF volunteer soldiers
] the Union army, now residing in Il
state, has been completed, and the mann
Of nearly one hundred thousand soldier
arranged in alphabetical order, and
states and regiments, are new recorde
in the books of the adjutant general
Office. These records ill fifteen volume
> and win be Of great value to soidfe
T seeking the postoffiee address Of suIvi
/ | ing comrades. The adjutant general b
D | already been enabled TO answer OF
] | four thousand Inquiries concerning sc
4 I1sa~z .k1o apo rfOxH efffzana o4 Ranaaa-